Young, highly educated knowledge workers vulnerable to AI

The Netherlands’ labor market is showing signs of change, with young, highly educated knowledge workers being particularly vulnerable to the impact of AI. According to the UWV, the number of theoretically educated workers receiving a WW-uitkering has increased from 30% in 2022 to 38% now. The Nederlandsche Bank reports that many people’s work content is changing, with some able to adapt within their current role, while others may need to switch to a different job or sector.

Generative AI, agents, and chatbots are starting to affect the labor market, with some jobs changing faster than others. The UWV’s latest data shows a pattern of decreasing job opportunities for theoretically educated juniors, particularly since the launch of ChatGPT in 2022. RaboResearch estimates that the employment rate among 15- to 24-year-olds in professions heavily exposed to generative AI has decreased by 13% since the end of 2022.

While the exact impact of AI on jobs is still unclear, experts are seeing signs of a trend. Arbeidseconomen Emilie Rademakers notes that while it’s difficult to establish a causal link, the data suggests that AI may be contributing to the decline of junior and knowledge jobs. Other factors, such as high interest rates and economic uncertainty, may also be at play.